Thursday, October 30, 2008

I think it was Tuesday night Liam found his good old candy dispenser that happens to be a Polar Bear with a candy exit on his behind. Yeah, it came with brown jelly beans at Christmas time. It was a favorite for a really long time, then it disappeared for awhile.

So Tuesday night... Liam finds his beloved pooping bear and asks his daddy to make it work.

We couldn't think of anything but peanuts to use... since they were about the right size. Liam seriously played with that thing for a good 30 minutes. Pooping the peanuts out of the bear and then refilling it... most of the time with Daddy's help.

Daddy walked away at one point. A few minutes later Liam was asking for his help again... Three times Liam said something that made me laugh and Daddy didn't even hear the words, but did notice my snickering.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

I am at a loss for words tonight as I try to begin your birthday letter. I have been reviewing all the other letters I've written and tears come to my eyes as I remember each past note of appreciation.

At this point in our relationship, I feel about as mature as you probably do. We've figured each other out, we know each others' buttons, quirks and reactions. We play off each others' emotions, tones and expressions. We both think on our feet and when it doesn't come out right, we correct ourselves. It's fun to be together, it's amazing the understanding we have with each other. Makes me wish I could spend all my days with you. Lately it's been difficult for me to work out of the home Monday through Friday. I miss you a lot, Liam.

We've had a full October of fun together. I tend to wish the weekends wouldn't end (as most of us do) but mainly because I don't want to let you go, come Monday morning. You've brought me many moments of pure joy this past month!

I would hate to say you are an indulged child because of the negative connotation that has, but it's really okay with me. Sure, you have your moments of spoiled-child-fits-demanding-more-than-practical, but I do too. It's fun for us to put a smile on your face and/or see your reaction to a new discovery. It's what being a parent and raising a child is all about... making the child happy! We love making you happy! And it's so neat for us to see you wanting to make us happy too!

This weekend we went grocery shopping. You put things in the cart, emptied the cart, reloaded the cart, loaded the car... all the while saying, "I am a big helper!" You love serving your parents and doing the right thing. I guess most children do, but I find so much love behind your good deeds because I am your mother and feel so special that you want to help ME.

I took a few photos of you this afternoon. You were just so perfectly behaved! As we walked towards the park, I warned you I'd be taking a lot of pictures of you. I promised a big treat once we were done and back to the car. You totally went for this bribe! As soon as we got to our destination, you started posing like I'd ask and say "cheese" left and right. When that wore off, I'd ask you to not laugh and not smile and not to look at me! To my surprise that worked better than any other trick! You gave me real chuckles and darling smirks! We had so much fun exploring and playing!

I have to report, Liam, that many times a day you ask one of us to do something with you. Only you don't say the word with. It's, "Mom, will you play me?' or "Daddy, go outside me?" or "Play marbles me, Mommy?"... it's so sweet and it's really hard to say no to. I love that you can communicate so well these days. And you really let us reason with you too. Makes our lives go along much more smoothly and happily.

You continue to be a big fan of anything loaded with sugar. Lately it's been doughnuts you've been asking for... even when there are no doughnuts to be had. This past week you discovered chocolate milk and ask for it daily now. Balancing your diet sure is tricky.

You are a collector of anything Pixar Cars... namely McQueen, Chick Hicks and The King! You are loving anything related to dinosaurs and have made a collection of those things too! You are a whiz at 24 piece puzzles and are taking an interest in 2 player games. Grandma and Grandpa got you Memory and you love making matches!

You are completely consumed by any catalog we get in the mail. You browse through them with me and point to the things you "want for Cwistmas!" Sometimes you won't let me turn the page, so you can carry your bookmarked catalog around and show us again and again. A few days ago you decided you wanted a Yoda action figure "for Cwistmas" and pronounced it Oda.

You are growing up too fast, Liam! I am so glad you still let us hold you and hug you and kiss you! I love holding your hand and chatting with you. I love how you lean into me when we read books. I love all your silliness and charming ways. I am so grateful to be your mom and make you smile. I always say Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when He sent you to us. You really are the perfect fit to our family! We love you so much and feel so fortunate to share our lives with you. Thanks for the spirit of fun, happiness and love you bring to our home!

Liam's costume came in the mail on Saturday! He was so excited as he pulled each piece out of the box. The cape went on and he started "flying" so I could take a few photos. Thank you, Grandma Dixie. We'll get some full bat attire photos soon!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Last Tuesday night we met up with Saedi and her adorable 3 boys! When I told Liam we'd be seeing Ethan and Mason that night he said, "Those are MY friends! I am going to see MY friends, Mommy!" I thought that was so funny... he said it with a belligerent tone like it's about time he had a turn with HIS friends.

The boys were pretty care free and great on their own in the giant balloon toys. I was specifically impressed with little Aiden as he'd just stay put in the kiddie area and go on the itty bitty slide over and over. Delighted on his own! He later ventured out and was such a climber... you can tell he has two big brothers that have taught him the ropes.

Anyway, the boys were great on their own for the most part so Saedi and I could chat away! I love that girl! She is an amazing mom and the funnest friend!

Monday, October 20, 2008

I can't believe I've posted 500 times! I've been blogging since March 2006 and there has been a lot to say about my Liam. Certainly tons more in his infancy as I was more home bound back then and went without a lot less sleep blogging about my sleeplessness and mothering whoas. So glad we are past those days. I do wish I'd post more often now a days, but I'm content to leave the laptop alone most evenings. Balance has found me in this department as that was certainly out of whack for a long time. Though blogging did keep me sane a lot of days.

Today all I have to say is - I am grateful for Liam. He has been such a joy this past week or so. Literally since last Saturday (Oct. 11) he's pretty much been the dream child. Last weekend we really enjoyed him and played with him a lot (two rounds of pumpkin patches)! In the evenings he just plays with his cars and is content to hang out where ever in the house. Then we had another full weekend of playing hard outside and enjoying each other. It's been so heavenly!

It's helped that I about lost my voice at the beginning of last week so I have been soft in my speech and fairly calm myself. So maybe Liam and I were running in parallel with each other. Or maybe the 3 year old maturity kicked in a week early. Whatever it is, I'll take it! A week and counting of charming behavior from all. So nice!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Then we went home to drop off our pumpkins and eat lunch. A bit later we went to the big red barn down south and took a cool tractor ride. And when I say cool I mean it! Good thing we had each other to keep warm... cheezy but so true! We had a great time. Look how happy we are!

I love this shot of Liam downing the apple cider and apple cake doughnut.

Later on we went over to Jackie's house so Liam and Xander could paint pumpkins. They had a great time together!

They had to see the photos of themselves. Jackie caught this shot of me showing them their cute smiles.

Liam's Videos and Montages

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“Boys are found everywhere on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to."

~Alan Beck

"I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually."